About Us

Cove Park’s residencies actively respond to the diversity of contemporary artistic practice in all the art forms, whether performing or visual arts, crafts, literature or music. Our interdisciplinary programmes, for both individuals and collaborating groups, offer time, space and freedom to make new work and to find new ways of working.

Some residencies are self-funded but most offer a fee and accommodation and for which selection is either by application or invitation.

Founded in 1999 by Peter and Eileen Jacobs, Cove Park is funded by Creative Scotland, by trusts and foundations and by the generosity of individuals. Their contributions are made on the premise that the vitality of the arts today, and the contribution they make to society, is based on the ability of artists to make new work on an ongoing basis.

Distinguished alumni include author Margaret Atwood and visual artist Simon Starling. Organisations such as the Royal Opera House and Sadler’s Wells have researched and made work at Cove Park.

The countries from which artists have come to Cove Park include Australia, Panama, Mexico, Spain, US, Nigeria, Germany, Holland, Israel, West Bank, China, India, France, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Ireland, Russia, Canada and Taiwan, as well as the UK.

PEOPLE

Founders

Peter Jacobs

Eileen Jacobs

Trustees

Ruth Little

Seona Reid

Chair

Dr. Francis McKee

Peter Jacobs

Eileen Jacobs

John Dover

Roanne Dods

Paul Allen

Patrons

Elizabeth Price

Derek Jacobi

Margaret Atwood

Staff

Julian Forrester

Director

Julian Forrester was born in Lanarkshire and read English at McGill University in Montreal. From 1975 to 1995 he was a theatre producer in both the UK and the United States, working with Anthony Quayle as Artistic Director in both countries. From 1995 to 2000 he was a consultant to the Prudential Awards for the Arts, the Royal Opera House and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, among others. From 2000 he has been involved with Cove Park, first as an adviser, latterly as Director.

Polly Clark

Literature Programme Producer

Polly Clark is the Literature Programme Producer at Cove Park and also runs The Fielding Programme, which comprises a series of retreats and mentored residencies. Her three collections of poetry are published in the UK by Bloodaxe Books: Kiss (2000), a Poetry Book Society Recommendation; Take Me With You (2005), a Poetry Book Society Choice and shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize and Farewell My Lovely (2009). Polly’s memoir, Thank You So Much For Writing, won the 2014 Tony Lothian Prize for biography and she is working currently on a novel. She is represented by Jenny Brown of Jenny Brown Associates.

Alexia Holt

Visual Arts Programme Producer

Alexia Holt has worked at Cove Park since 2004 and produces its international programme of visual arts residencies and commissions. Prior to Cove Park, she was Curator at Tramway, Glasgow. A graduate of Glasgow University’s History of Art department, she also worked at Glasgow School of Art and the CCA whilst completing a Ph.D. on early twentieth century fashion design. She is currently Curator for the Scottish Print Network and has recently developed ‘Below another Sky’: an international programme of residencies, exhibitions and events for Scotland’s five print studios.

Dawn Youll

Craft Programme Producer

Dawn Youll is a ceramicist who exhibits across the UK and internationally and is represented by Marsden Woo Gallery , London. She studied Ceramics at Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1999, and continued her studies at Cardiff School of Art and Design in 2007-8, after a period of working in the film and television industry. Prior to becoming Craft Programme Producer, Dawn worked as Craft Officer for Dumfries and Galloway Council and has taught at Glasgow School of Art and Grays School of Art in Aberdeen in the ceramics and 3D Design departments.

Emmie McLuskey

Artist Facilitator

Emmie McLuskey is a visual artist and curator who has participated in projects throughout the UK and Europe. She studied Art Practice and Critical Studies at Goldsmiths College, London, graduating in 2010. After graduating Emmie has worked on a research lab aboard a freighter ship, a worldwide film project and moved to Glasgow where she was a committee member of the artist run space Market Gallery. She has recently returned from a research project in Tasmania, Australia.Emmie is part of the consortium of artists working under the name ‘Garage Projects’.